Nguon Festival is now UNESCO’s cultural heritage
By Stephen TADAHA
The Nguon biannual festival of the Bamoun people in the West has been successfully registered in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The good news was revealed by UNESCO on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, during the 18th Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Kasane, Botswana.
The Cameroonian delegation at the meeting was led by the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ismael Bidoung Mpkwatt.
The over 600-year-old Nguon biannual festival is a true display of the rich culture and tradition of the Bamoun people. The Nguon festivities are spread over 7 days, with each day marked by several activities such as traditional dances, ritual ceremonies, conferences, and great food showcasing the richness of the Bamoun culture.
It is a moment of communion between the Bamoun people and their Sultan.
This registration which was launched in 2020, will henceforth facilitate the transmission of knowledge and know-how of the Bamoun tradition to younger generations and will greatly improve the touristic potentials of the West Region and particularly of the country.
